Page 9 - Livin Light Issue 81

Monday June 5 - The God who overcomes
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our
flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Ephesians 2:3
We’re at war. The country we live in might not currently be involved in a conflict with another, yet wars surround us, such as the invasion of Ukraine. But another shade of war is the spiritual one going on in the heavenlies. And Paul addresses it here in part, before he goes more deeply into the matter towards the end of this letter (chapter 6).
By naming our opponent – the ‘ruler of the kingdom of the air’ (v 2) – Paul brings to light what we might be tempted to discount. We might think that we’re giving too much time and energy to that which is unseen when we consider the spirit who is opposed to the work of God. Or, in contrast, we might place all of the blame on him when something goes wrong in our lives. But like Paul, we can name him as one who would lead us into gratifying our cravings; yet we don’t need to become obsessed with him. After all, God is so much bigger and more powerful than all that he has created, including this fallen angel Satan.
Today, might you pour out your praise to God because he has overcome the enemy of our souls with the death of his Son Jesus? We no longer need to fear but can rest in his love.
All powerful God, you hold the keys to the kingdom, and you welcome me there through the blood of your Son. Thank you. Amen.
Tuesday June 6 - Made alive in Christ
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ... Ephesians 2:4-5
The power of a conjunction: look at how everything changes with the little word ‘but’ in verse 4. We used to be dead to life, weighed down by sin and our cravings, ruled by the evil one who shapes this world with his evil schemes. But... but God loves us so much that he pours out his mercy on us, rescuing us from the miry pit of death when we are stuck in our wrongdoing. Instead of being dead in our transgressions, we are made alive in Christ. Notice the ‘divine passive’ here, which is the use of the passive tense to indicate that God is behind the action. God, because of his love and mercy, makes us alive in Christ. He saves us from the power of sin and death.
Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus to encourage Jewish and Gentile believers to move from their old ways of life – including being divided from each other – into embracing the good news of Jesus in all its forms. He didn’t want racial tensions to keep them from being united in Christ. When they ‘lived out’ their new selves, they would be able to extend grace and love to those who were different from them.
How might God be inviting you to break down any dividing walls of hostility (Ephesians 2:14) today?
Lord of love, help me to extend love to those I might not understand as you fill me with your presence. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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